Index and file.



H. 0. HIBBARD.

INDEX AND FILE.

APPLIOATION FILED M129, 1910.

Patented Feb.28,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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Il I H. O. HIBBARD.

'IN-DEX AND FLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29', 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT 2.

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I l I MINI' HERBET 0. HIBBARD, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

iNDEX AND FILE.

Specification of Letterslatent. Ptgnted Feb, 28, '1911 Application sied January 2e, 19in.A seriai no. 540,819.

To alt whom it may concern: i

Be it knownthat l, HERBERT O. HIBBARD, a citizen ofthe United States, residing atl illorcester, in the county of Vorcester and- State 'of lvlassachusetts, have invented a new anduseful'lndex and File, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an index capable ofnse as such alone'or as a file or cabinet.`

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a construction capable of use for the purpose stated in which 'by an exceed-- ingly simple and inexpensive construction the bottoms of the cards, tablets or the like which are used for theindex or separating members of the file cabinet will always be raised so that the front one that is standing up will be always in sight from top to bottom; to provide means whereby the leaves or cards7 when the device is open, will be supported by the devices which hold them in a fraine orV case; to vprovide means whereby when the index or'file is entirely closed the `parts thereof will be supported independently of the said holding device so that-no strain will be brought upon it; to provide an improved forni of construction of the vcase or cabinet so tlitethe leaves or cards turned down will remain in horizontal position and be firmly held there without introducing the necessity of adding to the bulk of the cabinet when the parts are close together; to provide av form of index either for use as a telephone index or as a file index in which the several sections are separated by diierent colored leaves or cards so that forexainpl-e, the residence portion of a telephone index will be entirely separate from the busi ness portion.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference .is to be. had to the accompanying' drawings in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with this invention showingfit connected with a telephone stand and adapted to serve as a telephone index. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same.

Fig. 3, is a longitudinal sectional View of the same' showing the parts of' the index open. Fig. 4 is a plan of a portion of the same with the index cardsreinoved. Fig. 5 is .an elevation of the Ylower end of the front plate.`

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the'y lower end of the second plate. 'Fig -7 is an elevation of the lower end of' a tablet adapted to be'inserted between the rst and second plates. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the lower portion of a device of siniilar'character showing the residence and business portions-of the index separated still more fully. ,ig 9 is a front elevation of a filing cabinet. constructedin Aaccordance with this invention in almodifie'd form7 and Fig. 10 is a sectional View of the same on the line 10-10of F ig. 9.

The invention is shown as applied to a forni in which a-support or case 10 is provided with downwardly pro]ecting integral pins 1l having rubber'feet l2 thereon. These rubber feet consist of small tubular pieces fitted over the pins and projecting below thern. This case is provided at one side with a telephone support 13 having a shape suitablefor supporting a telephone base '14. This support 13 is provided with pins 15`by which fio` it is adapted to be; removably mounted on the base 10 and'it is also provided with pins 1,1 and feet 12 as above described. A

'The bottoni 'of the support or case 10 is provided with one or more longitudinal slots 20 extending through the bottoni at the front, but only part way through at the rear.` On pivot pins 21 are pivotally mounted the eye ends of flexible supporting niembers, shown as springs 22. These supportsl preferably from opposite sides and oppositethem are cavities 24 on the under side of the case through which the eye ends -ofV the flexiblev supporting members or springs can .extend baclrwardly from these pins sii-bstantially to the back of the case and then-are be slipped in removing and replacing them.

It will be noted that-the slots 20 form a depressed guide to the back of the case for the springs. At points at the rear of the -upe per `strands of the springs theyare provided with'stops 25 of any desired construction, butshown on the first sheet as consistingof rubber tubes fitting the springs tight enough so as to remain in one position thereon.

The back of the case is provided with vertical guides 26 for receiving the endsof the springs.

v Located alongy the sides of thel base are inclined rigid supports 27, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The case is shown as having upwardly extending corners 2S vat the rear connected` f with the bottom by arcuate arms 29, thus providing guides for the index leaves or tabletsl and strengthening the `casing. At

v l A the v iront of the case are -provided perforations 30 through which extend angular arms 3l on a front .plate 32. These arms bear 'on i a spring Ll1 when the plate is upright, which 2G- E supporting shelf. This plate has perforaholds the plate in place. The plate preferably. is of metal and still enough to form a shelf to hold the cards of the device in horizontal position. Then it is extended for war'd or downward, as shown in dotted lines .in Figi), the arms 31 engage the under side ofthe door, of the case and hold this plate in horizontalfposition where it serves as 'a ltions 33 through which the springs pass. Behind' this plate is another platel 3et,.pret

' crably of metal, which is provided with a case.

`pair of outwardly projecting pins 35 'eX-' tending into slots 36 in the side wall of the These slots being elongated, the plate can lbe inserted veryV readily.

also has notches 37. for the springs. Be-

tween these two plates atablet 38 is adapti edl to vbe placed having perforations 39 through the bottom and consisting of a pluralitynof. sheets of paper connected 1in any ydesired way. At the bottoni of the perforations 39 are notches 40 which extend through to the bottom of the tablet so that, as each f sheet is used it can very easily be detached ing members for the them, or of the entries made, or printed mat v .It is to be observed that both the 'fronts y ter appearing upon them. They are cut away at the top tol provide spaces l5 for the let'- ters ornunibers into which each series .is divided.

and backs of the leaves or cardscan be used for the index or for the entry of data because by reference to Fig 3 it will be seen that the angle between the fronts of the upper cardsl and the rears of the lower ones is not greatand one can read continuously from onev to the other. 4 This index is divided into sections, each section having a contrastvingcolor or appearance so'they can bedistinguished' readilyby a party using thev device. yv dividing theindex up as indicated This plate as to be free to turn in all positions. Each of these isl pro-- these cards or leaves are provided.

as vnot to take up the'entirelength ness section 47,' and an additional section 48 preferably for emergency or .frequent calls; the time expended in usingthe index is' very much reduced and'its value very highly increased. This is an important feature.

At the rear of the index leaves is aplate 5,0 strung on the springs in the same way as i ther-other parts and bearing against theerear patsot the corner pieces 28 at the top. This plate is provided with yforwardly extending side ianges 51 which have outwardly. extending ears 52 at the lower front corners. This construction provides for'holding the leaves or cards accurately in position and the outwardly anged corners prevent their catchingV or going to one side when carelesslythrown back into the case. The bottoms'y of these side .fianges are located 'near the strips 29 so that the support for the' sides of the cards or leaves is substantially continuous.

The object of the Vslanting supports 27 lwill be readilyseen when it, is stated that they carry the bottomsot the leaves and of the plate 50 when 'placedtogethcr in the case, as showninFig. 2, thus relieving the springsof all weightI except while the device is in neef-.which is only a small part of the time. The-,object of the pins 35 and `slots 36 `will also be clear whenv attention is called to. 'the-'fact that these serve as stops to prevent the bottomsfof Vthe cards or leaves from going too farv forward whentheleaves areclosed in the case. The stops 25 also are employed toprevent any possibility of the back plate or any of the leaves` getting over on the lower strands of the springs.

Tn the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8. a base 55 is employed on which is a case 56 pivotally mounted by a pivot 57 so ln this case the business index` B is entirely separate from the residence vindex R. otherwise the construct-ion is substantially the same.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and l0, it is applied to a tiling cabnet 60. This cabinet is shown as provided with a hinged top member 61 to which is hinged a front plate 62 which 'depends from the top. Another hinged front plate is connected with the plate 62 by a hasp (i4. or in any desired way. The. plate 63 is provided with rubber feet 65 of the same length as the feet 6G on the bottom of the cabinet. In this case three springs are shown of the same character as those-shown springs. Even in the form shown on'thef first sheet, almost aquarter of the space oc` cupied by the leaves `is'available for the insertion of loose sheets,"but` in the form-shown inI the second -sheet of drawings, a greatdeal more of space is available for that pur- OSB.

y AWhile I have illustrated and described,

'.certain preferred embodiments of the in- Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to theV details of construction shown and described, but

What I do claim is Y 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of leaves or sheet`s,' of means for holding the same whereby the sheets can be swung from an uprighttoa horizontal position; and means y. wherebythe bottoms of the rear sheets or leaves are moved up as the front ones are turned down, to the levelof the top hori- Zontal leaf or sheet;I

2. In a device of the character described,

the combination ofla plurality of uprightv leaves or sheets, means for permittingesaid leaves or sheets to be turned down in front and for holding them upright at the rear and 'means for raising the rear sheets as the front ones are turned down, whereby the bottom of the front upright sheet is always visible lfrom the front.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a series of sheets or leaves, means for holding them in upright.

bers connected withsaid support at the front and extending backwardly therein, a series of sheets or leaves having perforations through which said flexible members pass,

whereby theysupport the sheets or leaves, and 4`raise the sheets or leaves atY the rear so as to .exposer the lower portions thereof, as the front ones are turned down to horizontal position,

5. In a device of the character described,

wardlgto a point near the back of the stipport and then downwardly and forwardly, their ends being connected with the bottom of the support, a series of sheets or leaves having perforations near the bottoms thereof'trough which said flexible members pass.

6. In a device of the character described,

the combination' of a support, flexible members connected with the support, at the front thereof and extendingrearwardly to a point e nearthe` back of` the support, a `series .of

sheets'v or leaves having Vperforations near the bottom thereof throughwhich said flexi ble members pass, said 'support having a' bers connected with the support at the front thereof and extending rearwardly to a point near the back of the support, a series of sheets or leaves having perforations near the bottom thereof through which said flexible members pass to support the sheets o-r leaves, said support having raisedsurfaces for 'supporting the bottoms of said' sheets or leaves independently of the flexible members when the sheets or leaves are moved back into the support. y

8.v In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, flexible members connected with the support at the front thereof and extending rearwardly therein, a series of sheets or leaves having perfora tions near the bottom thereof for said flexible members, and stops o n said flexible members located at the rear of the support..

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, a plurality of flat members having eyes at each end, pins on' said support for receiving said eyes, said flat members extending from the front pinsback in thel support and down to thel rear pins, and leaves or cards arranged on said supports. n

10. In a device of the :character described, the combination of a support, a plurality of flexibl-e members having eyes at each end, pins on said support for receiving said eyes, said flexible members extending ,from the front pins back"l in the support and down to the rear pins, and leaves or cards arranged on said support, said support having notches or depressions at the ends of said pins for .permitting the eyes to be removed.

tions-of said slots, and cards or leaves arranged on said springs.

12. In a device ofthe character described, the combination of a support, flexible springs connected withsaid support at their ends at points near the front thereof, cards or leaves 'arranged on saidy springs, the side Walls of said support having slots therethrough and a rigidl -plate'having projecioo tions entering the last named slots and' pivoted therein in front of said cards orleaves, and having notches, for receiving the springs.

13. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a support, flexible springs connected with said support at their ends, cards or lea fes arranged on said springs, t-he bottom of said support having perforations therethrough at the f ront, anda rigid plate provided with. angular projections extend-` ing through' said perfo-rations and adapted lto be swung down at the front and supported by said projections in. horizontal position so as to constitute a shelf for receiving the cards or leaves.`

14;; In a device of the 'charact 'er described, the combination of a support, iieXible springs connected with said support at their ondas, cards or leaves arranged on said springs, a

fpivoted frontv plate adapted to -be moved down infront to serve as a shelf for the leaves' or cards, a pivoted plate'in. front 'of the leaves or'cards, and a tablet between said plates having perforations therethrough for the springs and notches extending from the perforations to the bottoms of the sheets from the springs.

and the headings of each group being above-A the tops of the leaves or sheets of the nextgroup in front, a portionl of the groups being arranged lcontinuously and of one color containing the whole ,of` -theindex relating to one subject matter, and another portion arranged below the same, continuously, and

- of another color containing the whole of the index relating to another subject matter.

17. The combinationof a support having perforations at the front, cards or lea-ves ar-l rangedin said support, a plate having angular projections through said perforations, and A a springfor engaging said projections to yieldingly hold the plate in position.

18.y As an article of manufacture, an index comprising lleaves or sheets having headings and arranged in groups, those of each group being located at` the same vheight= and the headings of each group being above the tops ofthe leaves or sheets of the next group infront, whereby said headings will be visible at alll times, the headings ofthe sheets of each group comprising the same letter, sign or word at the right of each leaf or sheet of that group, a second letter," sign, or Word located just at the left of the irst one on all of the leaves or sheets of the group except the front one,and a total number of letters, signs orwords on each other leaf or sheet equal to the number of that sheet counting from the front of the group, each leaf or sheet `being out away on a horizontal. line atthe left'of the letters, signs or words so as at all times to expose a single letter, sifrn o r word of each leaf or sheet behind tie front one when one or more of the leaves or sheets are turned down.

19. 1n an index, the combination of a plurality ofnormally upright leaves or sheets, means for holding the sheets together, Said sheetsv being pivot-ally mounted thereon,

whereby they are capable ofbeing turned down in front, and means for` holding the bottoms of the rear sheets at substantially the levelof the top sheet that is turned' down, each leaf or sheet having rinted matter on the front thereof locate right side up when they are in normal upright` aosition and also having Jrinted matterlon 3 D the back arranged bottom side up 4when they A are in. their norm-al upright position and forming a continuation of the reading matter on the front ofthe next sheet or leaf at the rear, whereby when a sheet or leaf is turned down, two pages of continuous reading matter are exposed'with the top of the front' one atsubstantially the same level as the bot-toni of the next rear one.

y20. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of leaves or sheets, of means for holding the same' whereby the sheets can be swung from an' upright to a horizontalvpositlon, and meanswhereby the bottoms of the rear sheets or leaves are moved up as the front ones are turned down, to thevlevel of the top hori- Azontal leafv orsheet, said sheets `or leavesl having reading matter on the front and rear, that on the rear being wrong side' up when the sheets areupright, whereby when any of the sheets are tinped down, the reading matter on the' front of the rear one and the rear of the top one of those turned down will be continuous. 4

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing 4 witnesses.

' l HERBERTO. HIBBARD. Witnesses:

C; Fonnns'r VVEssoN,

E. M. ALLEN. 

